Oscillating cylinder flat bed variable sheet printing press



July 9, 1940. R F, COX 7 2,206,879

OSCILLATING CYLINDER FLAT BED VARIABLE SHEET PRINTING PRESS Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1' July 9, 1940. P. F.- cox 2,205,879

OSCILLATING CYLINDER FLAT BED VARIABLE SHEET PRINTING PRESS Filed March 27', 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 9; 1940. P. F. cox 2,206,879

OSGILLATING CYLINDER FLAT BED VARIABLE SHEET RRINTING PRESS Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 Due July 9, 1940. R cox 2,206,879

OSCILLATING CYLINDER FLAT BED VARIABLE SHEET PRINTING PRESS Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 9, 1940. E Cox 2,206,879

OSCILLATING CYLINDER FLAT BED VARIABLE SHEET PRINTING PRESS Filed March 27, 1939 5 Sheets -S heet '5 21 bud PM Patented July 9, 1940 UNITED STATES OSCILLATING CYLINDER FLAT BED VARI- ABLE SHEET PRINTING PRESS Paul F. Cox, Chicago, 111.,

Application March 27,

24 Claims.

This invention is an improvement in bed and cylinder web perfecting presses of the type shown in my companion application for Stop cylinder vertical reciprocating flat bed presses, filed December 27, 1938, Serial No. 247,932.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a press which can print webs from flat type forms, and produce products of variable lengths of sheets. The press has oscillating impression cylinders having gears meshing with racks on movable flat type beds; the cylinders are thrown on impression during the printing operation and off impression after such operation and during the return strokes of the beds. The web is fed in and fed out during the taking of impressions and stopped after the impressions are taken and during the nonimpression strokes of the beds, while the cylinders are off impression. The cutting cylinders may be driven continuously, and make one complete revolution for each reciprocation of the beds. The feed and delivery rolls are actuated to forward the web during the taking of impressions, and novel means is provided whereby the length of web fed during the taking of impressions may be varied, so that sheets of any desired length (between minimum and maximum) may be printed as desired; this capacity for variable size product greatly enhances the utility and value of the press.

Other minor objects and novel features of the invention will be hereinafter referred to in the detailed description of the press illustrated.

The press will produce good clean-cut impressions on hard-finished or book paper, and is especially adapted for small printing offices which need a roll-feed web press that will be less expensive and produce a better grade of work than can be printed on the flat bed web presses now on the market.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one practical embodiment of the invention in a perfecting press, and will describe the same 7 with reference thereto, and those familiar with the art will readily understand and appreciate its practicality and advantages. The press shown is a perfecting press, but it might be constructed with but one bed and cylinder and if it is to be used only for non-perfected work, but if constructed as a perfecting press it can be used as a non-perfecting job press by leading the web only between one bed and cylinder. The claims set forth the essential features of the invention and various novel features of construction, and

1939, Serial No. 264,454

novel combination of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the broken away.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the press,

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the press.

.Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of part of the press on line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail illustrating the clutch drive for the feed roll.

Fig. 6 is: a detail View of the clutch operating devices.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic'longitudinal section of the press, showing the path of the web, and in-feed, out-feed devices, and cutting cylinders.

The press shown comprises two vertically disposed oppositely outwardly facing type beds l and 2 connected by .cross bars 3 which hold the beds rigidly together and in sliding engagement with vertically dis-posed guides 3a on the side frames of the press (see Figs. 1 and 4). The beds may be reciprocated vertically by means of pitmen 4 pivotally connected to the outer ends of a shaft 4a, that extends between the beds and through the bars 3, and to crank pins on wheels 4b fixed on a transverse shaft 40 journaled in bearings in the side frames of the press and disposed vertically above and parallel with shaft 4a. (See Fig. 1.)

One of thewheels 412 (see Fig. 2) is shown as provided with gear teeth that mesh with apinion' 401 on a stub shaft 4e, journaled in the adjacentv side frame of the press and a bracket 4 attached thereto, see Figs. 2 and 3. On stub shaft 4e is a pulley 4g which may be driven by a belt from any suitable driver (not shown).

The beds are preferably counterbalanced. As shown an. oppositely movable weight la: is connected to bed I by chains ly running over pulleys lz mounted on a shaft journaled in the frame ofthe press above shaft 40. Similarly bed 2 is counterbalanced by a weight 2.1: connected to the bed by chains 2y running over pulleys 22 on a shaft mounted on the frame of the press. The counterbalancing weights may be guided by and between the beds, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3.

Cooperating with bed I is an impression cylinder 6, having a gear 62) meshing with a rack is on bed i The cylinder is actuated by the movement of the bed, and turns in one direction duringthe printing stroke of the bed, and in the reverse direction during the return stroke of the bed. The cylinder is thrown off impression at the end of the printing operation. and during press, partly the return stroke of the bed, and is thrown on impression at the beginning of the printing stroke of bed. The cylinders may be thrown on and off impression by any suitable means, but in the combination shown I use a novel means, as follows: The cylinder 6 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 65 which has eccentric trunnions 6r fixed on its ends journaled in the side frames of the press (Figs. 1, 4 and 7). On one trunnion is a lever at which is normally depressed by a spring 6% (Fig. l) and is connected by rod Go to one arm of a three-armed lever 6w pivoted on the adjacent side frame. Another arm of lever 611) carries a pin or roller 6x which is engaged at the proper time by a cam Qt on the adjacent wheel 4b (see Fig. 2), which cam at the proper time actuates the lever 520 and through the described connections rocks shaft 88 and throws and holds cylinder 8 off impression until the next printing operation is to begin, at which time'the cam disengages roller $50 and spring Bu thus causes lever St to rock shaft (is and throw the cylinder on impression.

Cooperating with bed 2 is an impression cylinder '1 having a gear lb meshing with a rack 2s on bed 2. Cylinder l is rotatably mounted on a shaft is (Fig. 4) which carries eccentric trunnions Th journaled in the frame. To one trunnion is attached a lever 'lt (Fig. 1) which is connected by a rod hi to the third arm 6y of lever 6w, so that when said lever is rocked by cam M or spring 614 cylinder 7 will be thrown off or on impression like, and simultaneously with, cylinder 6.

The cam on wheel 41) is preferably made in two sections 45s and 4t. Part 41. is fixedly attached to wheel ib and its forward end engages the roller 61: at the beginning of the printing strokes of the beds and causes lever fiw to throw the cylinders on impression. Part 48 of the cam is adjustably attached to the wheel 4 and constitutes an adjustable extension of part At. The object of this extensible cam construction is to regulate and permit variation in the length of sheet fed and printed during a cycle of operations of the press. When section 48 is adjusted to extend the cam it, 48 to its greatest length the longest sheet will be fed and printed. When part As is adjusted to make the cam (4t4s) shortest, then the shortest length sheet will be fed and printed. Intermediate adjustments of the length of cam can be made to enable any desired length of sheet (between the minimum and maximum lengths for which the press is designed) to be fed and printed.

The adjustable cam flt4s may be of any desired construction, capable of effecting the object stated; and be attached to the wheel ib in any suitable or preferred manner. Section 4t might be made integral with the wheel if desired. The web w is fed from a roll W and directed, successively, to the infeed roll, the first impression cylinder, the second impression cylinder, the out feed roll, and the cutting cylinders as follows, see Figs. 1 and 7.

The web 20 passes from roll W to and over a guide a; thence down under a looping roller It, then up to and over a guide b, then down to and under a guide c; then to and under a guide if, thence up to a guide 6 below shaft then to the feed roll ll; thence to and over a guide I, and down to a guide 9 adjacent and above cylinder 6; then down to and under a guide h below the cylinder. The guides g, h, enable the impression cylinder 6 to present the web to bed I,

where it receives the first impression. The web passes from guide h out under cylinder 6 to a guide 1', from which it passes up to and over a guide 7; thence it passes above the in-feed roll I l to a guide k and thence down to a guide 112 above cylinder 1, and down to a guide 11. below cylinder i; said guides m, n, enabling cylinder 7 to present the web to the type bed 2 and make the perfecting impression on the web.

The tension of the web between the cylinders 6 and l is regulated by the guide 7', which is mounted in swingable arms 21 which can be adjusted by hand screw 21a. The register of the impressions can also be regulated by adjusting guide :i. If it should be desired to deliver the web after it is printed on one side by cylinder 6 and bed I, the web might be led from guide It direct to guide 0- and thence to the out-feed roll l2.

In the construction shown the looping roller E6 is a gravital roller and is mounted in swingable arms ltd attached to a stub shaft I 8b having an arm Etc connected by a rod ltd to the control lever lfie of an automatic brake It) on the shaft I52 carrying the web roll. When roller l6 drops to low position (Fig. 1) it applies the brake. When the in-feed roll is actuated it tends to draw web from the loop around roller l6 and as the latter rises it releases the brake and roll W begins to' unwind and continues unwinding until after the printing operation and roller It has again descended to brake applying position. The construction of the brake mechanism shown is well known. Any other suitable type might be used.

The in-feed roll I l is rotatably mounted on the shaft to and with it cooperate tapes I la running over guide rollers llb, He and lld. Roller lid is preferably mounted in swinging levers Me which can be adjusted by hand screw Hi to tensicn the tapes as desired.

The out-feed roll l2 is shown as driven from the cylinder l, so that it is operated only when said cylinder is printing or on impression. The out-feed roll l2 has coacting tapes 12s running over rollers l2t, lZu. Roller l2t is mounted on swingable arms lZv which can be adjusted by hand screw lEw. As shown (see Figs. 2, 5 and 6) cylinder 7 has a gear 77 on one end meshing with a gear l! on a shaft l'la parallel with and above cylinder 1. Gear l! is loose on shaft Fla and is engaged by a collar l'le slidably connected by pins l lj to a sleeve l'lg rotatably mounted on a threaded sleeve l'li fixed concentric to shaft l'la. On shaft Illa beside gear I1 is fixed a sprocket l'ib. The hubs of this sprocket and of gear I! are provided with opposed clutch faces or devices (as at lld, Fig. 5) whereby they will be interlocked when gear I? is moved toward sprocket l lb; and unlocked when gear l'l moves away from sprocket llb Any suitable clutch may be used. Springs may be strung on the pins l'lf as in Fig. 5 to cushion the shock of engagement of the clutch.

Sleeve llg has an arm l'lh connected by a link llk to an arm l'lm fixed on the eccentric shaft ls onwhich cylinder 1 is mounted (Figs. 5 and 6). Consequently when shaft ls is rocked arm Ilm through link l'lk will turn sleeve Hg, and the threaded engagement of sleeve Hg with l'lli will cause sleeve Fly to move endwise on shaft Fla, and move gear I! toward sprocket llb and engage theclutch. Sprocket l'lb and shaft l'la will then be rotated as long as the cylinder 1 is on impression. When cylinder l is thrown off impression gear I! will be moved away from sprocket I11) and the clutch disengaged. Sprocket III) and the shaft He will be idle.

As shown, the out-feed roll I2 is provided with a sprocket I20. driven by a chain I2b from the sprocket IIb on shaft IIa, so the out-feed is actuated only when the cylinders are on impression.

In the construction shown the in-feed roll is driven from the out-feed roll. The in-feed roll II carries a gear II m (Fig. 3) which meshes with a pinion I I0 on the shaft I In on which rollers I I0 are mounted. The shaft IIn has a sprocket I Ip driven by a chain I Iq from a sprocket on the out-feed roll shaft (Fig. 3).

The out-feed web is directed from the outfeed roll to cutting cylinders I8, by usual guides I9. The cutting cylinders are rotated once for each cycle of operations of press (which occurs once for and during each revolution of shaft 40) As shown the cutting cylinders may be directly driven from shaft 40 by a sprocket chain I8c running over a sprocket IBd' on the upper cutting cylinder shaft, and over a sprocket ip on shaft 40.

The bed I is supplied with ink from an inking mechanism mounted in section A below cylinder 6. The inking mechanism may be of any suitable construction. As shown it comprises a fountain 8, ductors 8a, a set of distributing rollers 81), with proper adjusting and actuating mechanism, and two form rollers 80. The particular inking mechanism used is not a feature of the present invention, and therefore further description thereof is unnecessary.

The bed 2 is also supplied with ink from a similar inking mechanism mounted in section 0 of the press, including a fountain 9, ductor 9a distributing rollers 92;, and two form rollers 9c. In my press I am able to use two form rollers with resultant enhanced clearness and uniformity of impressions.

The web is fed through the'pressby the cooperation of the cylinders with the forms on the moving beds aided by the in-feed roll I I and the out-feed roll I2. The first cylinder and bed advance the web to the second cylinder and bed, and the latter advance it to the out-feed roll I2. In my stop cylinder press above referred to the circumference of the impression cylinders determines the length of sheets to be severed. In the present invention the impression cylinders may be of any'desired size,- as the length of sheets printed are not dependent upon the circumference of the cylinders; and the latter can be made large enough to provide ample room for the blanket reels in the cylinder. The impression cylinders are easily accessible for make ready and packing, and overlays can be readily placed on either cylinder.

The fountains and inking mechanisms disposed below the cylinders are easily accessible. The Web does not have to pass around either fountain. The plurality of form rollers employed enhances the quality of the impressions. The quality of the product is also enhanced by the fact that the printed sides of the web does not contact with any guide or looping roller.

If desired the press frames may be made in sections A, B, C, and the operative parts assembled therein, as described in my aforesaid compam'on application, and the assembled sedtions shipped to purchaser and set up in situ.

The web is intermittently drawn from the supply roll as described. The web is held off the printing surfaces and away from the cylinders of the beds.

when the impression5is thrown off by the guides g, h, adjacent cylinder 6; and guides m, n, adjacent cylinder I. The impression cylinder gears remain in mesh with thebed racks so that the cylinders oscillate on and during the strokes The cutting cylinders are slightly separated so that they do not feed the web, but sever a sheet therefrom for each cycle of operations of the press.

Important practical features of the press are its ability to print and deliver sheets of various length from a web, which will be a very acceptab-le feature to publishers who manufacture various sizes of publications. The oscillating cylinders do not have .to be of any particular size, other than large enough to permit printing the maximum length sheets, but I do not consider the invention in its broader aspects limited to oscillating cylinders. Mounting the cylinders on eccentric shafts I also consider novel, but the invention is not restricted to such mounting, nor to the particular sprocket and sprocket chain drives illustrated, clutches, etc., illustrated, as mechanical changes and substitutions could be made by a skilled workman while retainingv the novel and beneficial features of my invention.

I claim:

1. A web printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating beds, a pair of oscillating impression cylinders coacting with the bed, means for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of the printing strokes of the beds, means for throwing off impression at various lengths of travel of the beds on their printing strokes and during return strokes of beds to enable sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum to be printed, and means for feeding a length of web between the cylinders and beds in accordance with the length of sheet to be printed, such means being controlled and actuated by an impression cylinder.

2. A web printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating type beds, a pair of oscillating impression cylinders coacting with the beds, means for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of the printing strokes of the beds, means for throwing off impression at various lengths of travel of the beds on their printing strokes and during return strokes of beds to enable sheets of any desired length between miniimpression cylinder while on impression to op- I erate the in-feedand out-feed rolls to feed a length of web in accordance with the length of sheet to be printed.

3. In a printing press; a reciprocating bed, a cylinder cooperating with the bed, a web supply roll, an in-feed roll between the supply and cylinder, an out-feed roll beyond the cylinder; means for directing a web to the in-feed roll, thence to and between the cylinder and bed, and thence to the out-feed roll; means for variably actuating the feed roll to feed any desired length of the Web during the taking of an impression and for stopping the feed roll after impression is taken and during the remainder of the printing stroke of the bed and the non-printing stroke of the bed; with a pair of cutting cylinders adjacent the out-feed roll, and means for operating said cylinders to sever a sheet of the proper length from the web at each cycle of operations of the press.

4. A printing press having movable beds, cylinthrowing off impression at any desired point in the travel of the beds during their printing stroke, a web supply, an in-feed roll between the supply and first impression cylinder, an out-feed roll adjacent the delivery end of press, means for operating the rolls to feed any desired length of web between cylinders and beds during the taking of an impression, said means being actuated and controlled by one of the impressions cylinders; with a pair of cutting cylinders adjacent the out-feed roll, and means for operating said cylinders to sever a sheet of the proper length from the web at each cycle of operations of the press.

5. A web printing press, comprising a pair of type beds, a pair of cylinders coacting with the beds, means for throwing on impression at the beginning of the printing strokes of the beds, means for throwing off impression at various lengths of travel of the beds on their printing strokes and during return strokes of beds, to enable impressions of any desired length between minimum and maximum to be printed on the web, means for feeding the web while impression is on in accordance with the length of web printed; a pair of cutting cylinders between which the printed web is forwarded, and means for rotating said cylinders to sever a sheet from the web for each cycle of operations of the press.

6. In a printing press, a reciprocating bed, a cylinder cooperating with the bed, a web feed roll, a shaft beside the feed roll, a loose gear on said shaft meshing with a gear on the cylinder, means for throwing on and off impression, means whereby when the impression is thrown on the loose gear is locked to said shaft and is disengaged therefrom when the impression is thrown off, and means for driving the feed roll from said shaft when the latter is actuated.

7. In a press as set forth in claim 6, a pair of. cutting cylinders adjacent the out-feed, and means for rotating said cylinders to sever a sheet from the web for each cycle of operations of the press,

8. A web printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating beds, a pair oi oscillating impression cylinders coacting with the bed, means for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of the printing strokes of the beds, means for throwing oii impression at various lengths of travel of the beds on their printing strokes and during return strokes of beds to enable impressions of any desired length between minimum and maximum to be printed on the web; and means for feeding the web while impression is on, in accordance with the length of sheet printed, with a pair of cutting cylinders adjacent the out-feed roll, and means for rotating said cylinders once for each cycle of operations of the press.

9. In a printing press, a pair of reciprocating beds-and cylinders, an in-feed roll, an out-feed roll, a shaft beside the out-feed roll, a loose gear on said shaft meshing with a gear on the roll; means for throwing the cylinders on and off impression; means whereby when the cylinders are on impression the loose gear is locked to said shaft and disengaged therefrom when the impression is thrown off, and means for driving the feed roll from said shaft when it is actuated; means for driving the in-feed roll from the outfeed roll, said rolls operating to feed the web while the impression is on, and stopped when the impression is cfi; a pair of cutting cylinders adjacent the out-feed roll, and means for rotating said cutting cylinders once during each cycle of operations of the press.

10. In a printing press; a reciprocating bed, a cylinder cooperating with the bed, a web supply roll, a feed roll; means for directing a web to the feed roll; means for throwing the cylinders on and off impression, an adjustable cam, means for operating the cam, means actuated by said cam for operating the throw-01f means; and means for variably actuating the feed roll to feed the web for any desired length of. sheet during the taking of impressions.

11. In a printing press; a reciprocating bed, a cylinder cooperating with the bed, a web supply roll, a feed roll; means for directing a web to the feed roll; means for throwing the cylinders on and off impression, including eccentric mountings for the cylinders, and adjustable cams for oscillating said eccentric mountings at proper times; and means for variably actuating the feed roll to feed the web for any desired length of sheet during the taking of impressions and for stopping the feed roll when such sheet has been printed, and during the non-printing strokes of the bed. i

12. A printing press, comprising a bed, an impression cylinder coacting with the bed, means for throwing on impression at the beginning of. the printing stroke of the bed, and means for throwing on impression at any desired length of travel of the bed on its printing stroke and holding it off during the remainder of the printing stroke and the return stroke of the beds, whereby sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum can be printed; the means for throwing off impressions including eccentric mountings for the cylinders, and adjustable cams for oscillating said eccentric mountings at proper times.

13. A web printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating type beds, a pair of oscillating impression cylinders coacting with the beds, means for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of the printing stroke of the beds, and for throwing off impression at any desired point in the travel of the beds during their printing stroke and holding it off during the remainder of the printing stroke and during return stroke of beds, the means for throwing off impressions including eccentric mountings for the cylinders, and adjustable cams for oscillating said eccentric mountings at proper times; whereby sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum can be printed; and means for feeding the web while the impression is on in accordance with the length of sheet to be printed.

14. A printing press having movable beds, cylinders cooperating with such beds, means for throwing on and off impression, a web supply, an in-feed roll between the supply and first impression cylinder, an out-feed roll adjacent the delivery end of press, means for operating the rolls to feed the Web between cylinders and beds during taking of impression, said means being actuated and controlled by one of the impression cylinders, the means for throwing oiT impressions including eccentric mountings for the cylinders, and adjustable cams for oscillating said eccentric mountings at proper times.

15. A web printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating type beds, a pair of oscillating impression cylinders coacting with the beds, means for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of, the printing stroke of the beds, means for throwing off impression at any desired point in the travel of the beds during their printing stroke and holding it oiT during the remainder of the printing stroke and during return stroke of beds, an adjustable cam for operating the throw off means, and means for operating the cam; whereby sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum can be printed; and means for feeding the web while the impression is on in accordance with the length of. sheet to be printed.

16. In a press as set forth in claim 15, the means for throwing off impressions including eccentric mountings for the cylinders, and adjustable cams for oscillating said eccentric mountings at proper times.

17 In a printing press, a reciprocating bed, an oscillating cylinder cooperating with the bed, a web supply roll, an in-feed roll between supply and cylinder, an out-feed roll beyond the cylinder; means for directing a web to the in-feed roll, thence to and between cylinder and bed, thence to the out-feed roll; means whereby the out-feed roll is actuated by and from the impression cylinder only while the impression is thrown on, and is stopped when the impression is thrown off; and meansfor throwing off impression after printing at any desired part of the printing stroke of the bed and holding off impression during the return stroke of the bed.

18. In a printing press, a pair of reciprocating beds, a pair of cylinders cooperating with the beds; a web supply roll, an in-feed roll between the supply and the first cylinder, an out-feed roll beyond the second impression cylinder; means for directing a web to the in-feed roll, thence to and between first cylinder and bed, thence to and between second cylinder and bed, and thence to the out-feed roll, means for variably actuating the feed rolls to feed any desired length of the web during the printing stroke of the beds and for stopping the feed rolls when an impression is taken during the remainder of the printing stroke of the beds and the non-printing stroke of the beds; and means for throwing off impression after printing at any desired part of the printing stroke of the bed and holding ofi impression during the return stroke of the bed.

19. A printing press, comprising a bed, an impression cylinder coacting with the bed, means for throwing on impression at the beginning of the printing stroke of the bed, an adjustable cam and means actuated by said cam for throwing ofi impression at any desired length of travel of the bed on its printing stroke and holding it ofi' during the remainder of the printing stroke and the return stroke of the beds, whereby sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum can be printed.

20. A printing press, comprising a bed, an impression cylinder coacting with the bed, means for throwing on impression at the beginning of the printing stroke of. the bed, an adjustable cam and means actuated by said cam for throwing off impression at any desired length of travel of the bed on its printing stroke and holding it off during the remainder of the printing stroke and the return stroke of the beds, whereby sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum can be printed, and means for variably feeding a web between the bed and cylinder while the impression is on in accordance with the length of sheet to be printed.

21. A web; printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating beds, a pair of impression cylinders coacting with the bed, an adjustable cam, means operated by said cam for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of the printing strokes of the beds and means for throwing off impression at any desired point in the travel of the beds on their printing stroke and holding it 01f during the remainder of the printing stroke and during return stroke of beds whereby sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum can be printed.

22. A web printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating beds, a pair of impression cylinders coacting with the bed, an adjustable cam, means operated by said cam for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of the printing strokes of the beds and means for throwing off impression at any desired point in the travel of the beds on their printing stroke and holding it oiT during the remainder of the printing stroke and during return stroke of beds whereby sheets of any desired length between minimum and maximum can be printed, and means for variably feeding the web to and between the cylinders and beds while the impression is on, in accordance with the length of sheet to be printed.

23. A web printing press, comprising a pair of reciprocating type beds, a pair of oscillating impression cylinders coacting with the beds, an adjustable cam, means actuated by said cam for throwing the cylinders on impression at the beginning of the printing stroke of the beds, means for throwing ofi impression at any desired point in the travel of the beds during their printing stroke and holding it ofi during the remainder of. the printing stroke and during return stroke of beds whereby sheets of any desired length between mimimum and maximum can be printed; and means for feeding the web while the impression is on in accordance with the length of sheet to be printed.

24. A printing press having movable beds, cylinders cooperating with such beds, an adjustable cam, means operated by said cam for throwing the cylinders on and off impression at variable points in the printing stroke of the beds, a web supply, a web in-feed roll between the supply and first impression cylinder, an out-feed roll adjacent the delivery end of press, and means for operating the in-feed and out-feed rolls to feed web between the cylinders and beds during taking of impression, said means being actuated and controlled by the adjacent impression cylinder.

PAUL F. COX. 

